Till this season Norco lacked a full-suspension 29er. With the introduction of the Shinobi, Norco addressed this omission and did so with style. The Shinobi’s design goes against some conventional thinking. Namely geometry tweaks to “standard” 29er geometries, using a new standard for rear ends and changes to the tried and true FSR suspension; all of which I will canvass more in this review. Continue reading →

User Reviews

Weaknesses: the X-fusion trace fork start making a huge noise after 3 weeks the company did not do any things about it ....

Bottom Line:

i ride all mountain & light free ride with this bike they do every things good from XC trail to 2.5 meter jumps . the A.R.T. suspension are perfect the geometry fit all mountain ride .the bike ride up hill good & down hill very good .the fork made a good job for 3 weeks until he start making a huge sound [in 2 shinobi ] i assume that X-fusion have problem with this fork i change the fork to fox talas 140mm the noise disappear . good bike

Strengths: I rode this bike for 4 days in BC, Squamish and fly ins out of Spruce Lake. Overall a great bike, it was very confidence inspiring on loose steep trails and climbed the hills and fire roads very nicely, with propedal on. An impressive bike, stiff, confident and smooth riding. I'd buy one except my LBS doesn't do Norco, and they are awesome so it's like cheating on your wife. Gonna be some tough thinking.

Weaknesses: Maybe a little on the big and heavy side, but not a problem.

Bottom Line:

Your going to love this bike. It's a Panzer division and it rolls like a Monster over mountains and drops, wheelies good. I love it.

Strengths: Upright ridng position
Soft but reponsive ride
Great climber for an all mountain

Weaknesses: None

Bottom Line:

Test ride. Already riding a 29er, so reviewing more the bike than the advantage of 29" wheels.

Great ride. Found myself riding too fast for the trails, had to slow down to stay on the trail. This is a bike for all day riding. It climbs efficiently, down hills well. The carbon wheel certainly added to the climbing efficiency,but the rear suspension keeps the rear wheel grounded for traction without any pedal bob. The handling is precise with the 20 mm through axle and Reba fork.
I have been mountain biking for 25 years and I just could stop grinning ear to ear.

OK, so I broke my hub on my current bike and decided to try a 29er. I grabbed the Norco Shinobi thinking I wouldn't like it and I would want my bike back as soon as possible. First ride and I was impressed how fast the bike rolls and climbs, second ride couldn't believe how hard I could charge into rocky sections of trail, and by the third ride I was selling my Ibis to get one. All the BS I heard "oh you can't wheelie a 29er." or "you cant jib those bikes." Non of that is true with this bike its a great all-mountain rig that wheelies, jumps, and jibs as well if not better than my 26er, plus it climbs like a goat. I know you're thinking this kid totally drank the Kool-aid. All I have to say is try one with an open mind. It will change the way you think a mountain bike should perform. If you're in the market for a new all-mt/trail bike you would be selling yourself short not to try this one.

Just wondering what people's thoughts are on these two bikes. I can get them for about the same price.
20mm more travel on the X-Fusion Trace fork(and 34mm stanchions, I think) of the Shinobi vs. the Recon Silver on the Trance but the same amount of travel in the rear(again X-Fusion vs. Rocksho ... Read More »

My current ride is an Anthem X 29er which I love, but I want a second bike with more travel and a slacker head angle. Something that can handle some jumps and light downhill-style riding.
My ideal bike would be the Santa Cruz Tallboy LTc but it's quite a bit more than my budget will allow. With ... Read More »